Woman Suffers Reaction 15 Years After Getting Tattoo, Here Are The Signs To Look Out For

Reactions from tattoos may occur years after you’ve received the inking, doctors have warned, after a woman was admitted to hospital 15 years after getting a tattoo.

The unnamed 30-year-old suffered enlarged lymph nodes (swollen glands) and pain in her armpits, which she originally feared may be signs of cancer.

But following tests, doctors concluded that her symptoms were signs of a reaction from a black ink tattoo on her back, which she’d had performed 15 years earlier.

Previous research has already indicated that elements that make up tattoo ink can travel inside the body and reach the lymph nodes - which filter disease, germs and bacteria from the body - but the latest case study suggests reaction from a tattoo can occur for a longer period of time than previously thought. So, how do you spot the signs?

In light of the woman’s case, doctors have advised other medical professionals to consider whether or not their patient has a tattoo when seeing apparent symptoms of lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system).

According to Dr Clare Morrison, a GP from online medical service MedExpress, an infection or allergic reaction from a tattoo both have similar symptoms.

The first signs you may notice are:

You experience swelling somewhere on your body over a period of a few days

The tattoo has a slimy discharge oozing from it

Pain

Blistering

Fever - this is one of the surest signs of infection, even if it’s only mild

While infections can be caused by getting a tattoo from a parlour that doesn’t follow hygiene regulations, allergic reactions are more difficult to avoid.

“Reactions occur because tattoo ink contains several ingredients and chemicals - you could be allergic to any one of them,” Dr Morrison told HuffPost UK.

“Substances include iron oxide, mercury sulfide, aluminium and manganese. Red tattoo ink is the most common cause of tattoo allergic reactions.”

Dr Morrison said if you think you may be suffering an allergic reaction after having a tattoo, you should never try to take care of the problem yourself.

“Immediately visit a dermatologist and get a diagnosis. And if you are feeling really unwell, best to go to the doctors or A&E immediately,” she said.

“The doctor could well prescribe you a course of antibiotics. The tattoo may even have to be removed - never try to do this yourself.”